The names of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been released.
The victims were among scores of suspects arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna on September 15 and 16, 2026. The deaths were reported days after their arrest.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue. The Federal Government has also constituted an independent committee to investigate the deaths.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC has detained 24 of its personnel in connection with the incident, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye. The officers were paraded at the Corps headquarters in Abuja as part of the ongoing investigation.
The 37 deceased suspected miners have been identified as:
1. Ibrahim Sani
2. Fahad Sa’adu
3. Abdulsalam Ismail
4. Usman Aliyu
5. Abubakar Alhaji
6. Sani Nasir
7. Sanusi Khalid
8. Ahmad Aliyu
9. Safiyanu Abdullahi
10. Suleiman Dantala
11. Idris Haruna
12. Sani Yakubu
13. Safiyanu Abubakar
14. Abdullahi Abubakar
15. Abubakar Musa
16. Abdul Mudassir
17. Suleiman Lawal
18. Usman Abdullahi
19. Samuel Sambo
20. Ibrahim Musa
21. Yusuf Nasiru
22. Umar Lawal
23. Isyaku Amisu
24. Bissallah Adamu
25. Abdulbari Suleiman
26. Shafisu Lado
27. Usman Ahmad
28. Usman Ibrahim
29. Sani Isyaku
30. Musa Ibrahim
31. Idris Bashir
32. Kabiru Suleiman
33. Emmanuel Emeka
34. Mu’awiya AbdulKarim
35. Abdul Gafar Abubakar
36. Usman Haruna
37. Yaro Salihu Soba
According to reports, the final four names were not included in the initial General Hospital Minna list. The names were provided by the International Human Rights Commission and cross-referenced with the hospital list.
The NSCDC has said that all personnel found culpable after the investigation will face disciplinary action and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
